Alternate National Anthem causes stir

A singer’s version of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” – a traditional song known as “the black national anthem” – caused some concern at Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s State of the City speech. Rene Marie was expected to sing the National Anthem. She adapted the words to fit the tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” What do you think about the performance? (Read the story and listen to the song.)

The national anthem is not a political statement. Don’t use it as such. We’re not black Americans and white Americans. We’re Americans.

David

After sleeping on it and reading the history of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”, I don’t think it’s that bad. It’s a hopeful song rejoicing about liberty. Still, they should have sung the real national anthem and she should have cleared the alternate song with the mayor’s office. It’s hard to not see it as a political statement (vs. her own patriotic expression) when it’s such a surprise. Live and learn.

VladT.Impaler

Blacks once again proving that they are ,by far, more racist than Whites.

Punish them for such deliberately hateful,racist tactics, finally – it’s only 40+ years overdue

Dinah

It’s a great song. Probably better than a war song. But she could have sung America the Beautiful instead.

But she is not American? Then go live in another country. And, yes, once again it’s proven that blacks are racists — and it is ok for them to be so.

Jonathan Jackson Jr

I defy anyone to point out any racism or negativity in the lyrics of “Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing”, there’s no mention of race or color and the words are more meaningful than the “Star Spangled Banner” a convoluded and most difficult song to sing based on an British drinking song. I applaud Ms. Marie performance appropiately done in the Weelington Webbb Building. I was more offended by the mangled introduction of René by the councilman.

Judy

Shame on Rene Marie. Her actions are racist and reprehensible. They have no place in this country. Shame on Mayor Hickenlooper for not publicly reprimanding Rene Marie.

Elle

Racist/not racist.
Appropriate lyrics/inappropriate lyrics.
Neither of these is the issue.

The point is… Ms. Marie was commissioned by the Mayor’s office to fulfill a specific request — to sing the National Anthem for this public event. If she has made the personal choice not to include the National Anthem in her vocal repertoire, then she is entitled to stand by her choice. However, she also needs to decline the offer from the Mayor’s office and request that an alternate vocalist, who is happy to sing the National Anthem, take her place.

vernon

I can’t believe there aren’t more comments or people outraged by this ladies audacity.

Eric

I typically enjoy and support Mayor Hickenlooper. However, in this case I find Mayor Hick’s lack of candor in responding to this debacle to be completely reprehensible. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to recognize that when offered the honor of singing the national anthem at a public venue that you respond by singing the national anthem. This is clearly a case where the rights of the individual are set aside in deference to the country that makes individual rights possible. Ms. Marie should have her hand properly slapped, regardless of her sex, race, and/or her political affiliations. Wake up, Hick – are you that far removed from your roots as a geologist, restaurant proprietor, etc. that you have forgotten the basics???

eric

Right…we’re supposed to believe that people were “appalled” at that performance? Okay…which one of them stopped her? I’m in the Air Force and if I was rendering honor to this great nation and someone interjected their own agenda into that ceremony…you better believe you would KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I didn’t approve. She would not have finished the song.

All I see is weak civilians who didn’t care enough about this country to actually stand up and do something when they could have. Sure, they can’t be there where we are deployed but right when they were given an opportunity to do something everyone in that room just stood there and let it happen.

How many times do we have to read about civilians claiming “oh I wish there was something I could do.” Well there was and every one of you in that room failed to do a thing about it.

Ron House

The cowardly act was disrespectful, ignorant, and unacceptable. Shame on every person there who did not silence her. They would have been called “racists” had they done so, but we are all racists!

I am sickened for serving my country to fight for the freedoms of such irresponsible and pathetically selfish people.

Christopher Hiller

This is awesome! It’s awesome because it puts our money where our mouth is as a nation in terms of Freedom of Speech. This woman had every right to do what she did and the people who were so offended by her song need to check their attitudes … double check to make sure their racism isn’t showing!

To have such a fiery reaction to someone singing a song, I believe, is reprehensible. Such a reaction exposes some peoples’ hearts that they apparently value tradition over true freedom, and would (ironically) use their interpretations of what freedom is in the United States as a cloak. It looks to me that the people who were so terribly offended by this woman’s song, by their actions and apparent statements, seem to think that freedom of speech can only be applied to them but not to others. A shame…

Christina M

For her to knowingly change the song. Of her own admittance to not have told the Mayors office because she knew they wouldn’t allow the change. Then to expect to be forgiven with a mere apology? She knowingly made the decision to go against what she was hired to do. Whether the song is racist or she was making a political statement. She was wrong.

Now as an Patriotic American. I could care less how great this other song was. The National Anthem is the National Anthem. To sing something else in its place. In such a public political as a political statement. Was selfish and rude. As for not feeling like an American. She is welcome to move somewhere else then let us know how she feels.

Don Guizzetti

It was a poor decision on her part. To agree to do something with the intention of not doing it is simply bad faith on her part. “Lift Every Voice” is a great anthem and should not have been cast into this unfortunate controversy. It should have been performed for its own merit (and to its original melody) as part of a celebration of the contributions of African-Americans to this great country. It should not have been offered in such an under-handed performance. The song and African-Americans deserve much better. She made an error and she would do well to apologize to all people of all colors for her poor decision.

Ann Joel

I “Hope” that IF the presumptive Democratic Nominee wins the general election in November that this song “The Black National Anthem” is not going to be the “Changed” new National Anthem for America. I was outraged when I heard about this on MSNBC. I had to go to YouTube for confirmation.

Ruth Meier

She certainly did nothing to improve black/white benevelent feelings toward one another.

jody johnson

I would have to agree that the song that lady sang proves what is wrong with America right now! No one has any respect for anything! She sang a song she personally chose over a song that represents our nation. At a time we need to pull together there is always some selfish person who does things to pull us apart. For the racists black and white it adds fuel to the fire. For the rest of us we have to pick up the pieces.
This woman was paid to sing the national anthem she did not do it. I am upset because she inserted her own version and just threw our national song in the dirt. There is something wrong there. If Ihad the honor to sing our national song I would sing it. Someone should have cut the mic or something. It is a shame we that we are so politically correct that we do not stop something that is obviously wrong. This is not a question of black or white. It is a question of right and wrong. this was definitely wrong.

bob chessman

While it disturbs me, it doesn’t surprise me that the National Anthem was assaulted. We’ve been trashing many of the institutions that have made this country great and we’ve been doing it for over forty years. The National Anthem now joins Christmas, Boy Scouts, marriage and many others as once revered but now politically incorrect entities. Notice that I said THE National Anthem, not the black National Anthem or the White National Anthem. There are no such songs. What does disgust me, however, is the Mayors response. He seemed far too concerned over whether or not HIS speech was heard. That was a little to ME first. Not unlike Nero fiddling while Rome burned. And that certainly isn’t leadership.

Rob

Ms. Marie’s outrageous decision to sing the words of “Lift Ev’ry Voice” instead of the traditional anthem is an act of defiance, disrespect, and complete and utter self-indulgence. What happened to Barack Obama’s “post-racial” America? I fear we are more divided than ever.

Al DeMendoza

What this individual did was simple: A political statement. I believe she should receive a fine of any applicable sort. This will clearly send a strong message for those who might attempt to do the same in the new future. This is a disrespectful act against, we citizens, to our country and for all those who have die defending and protecting our Constitution and Country. Certainly, I do not want my tax-pay dollars to serve for a forum for individuals who wish to express their twisted political and unpatriotic views.

B&B

Here she’s SAYING that she wants to share her experience as “a Black” (person) “living in America,” and sings this song with lyrics that declare “lift every voice.”

Lift EVERY voice. It doesn’t say “lift the Black woman’s voice,” or even “Black person’s” voice, but “every voice.”

Her presentation fails on all accounts due to falsehoods, exploitation of circumstance, denigration of our country and utter lack of intelligence and sentience as a human being.

B&B

Also, I’m somewhat sorry to have to point out the obvious here, but is this woman intelligent and/or competent adequately to even know where she’s singing what? It certainly doesn’t appear that she is, after reading, now, three different articles with quotes by “Rene Marie.” She literally “sounds” like she’s mentally incompetent. Certainly she fails character requirements to be representing the public at any official function.

I think that the City of Denver ought to consider some sort of fine levied upon her for misleading (and intentionally so) the City like this, or, at least, for public indecency.

Do that or deem her incompetent. Both work for me, however.

B&B

“This woman had every right to do what she did…” by Christopher Hiller.

In a Liberal (er, ‘scuse me, Progressive) World, everyone has every “right” to do whatever they want, anywhere, anytime, anyplace, regardless of circumstance, decorum, laws, context, etc., as long as “it feels good.”

People don’t have “the right” to be indecent or anything else accordingly. Yet some are. This woman certainly was and probably is in other areas of her life (I don’t care to know any specifics, however, other than what has already been written about her, having read more than enough to make a decision about her).

What’s pitiful about this woman is that she identifies as a race, with a race, and considers herself (merely) “living in America,” and lacks any appreciable context for her citizenship (a country she doesn’t even identify with, according to what she’s said and how). THUS, her behavior (words, deeds) define her as a nut-case who is “self marginalized” and seeks to disrupt, disrespect and deceive.

She may have “a right” to be all that, but the public has “a right” to disapprove of her and to reject her marginal behavior and perspectives.

P.S.: There are no “rights” based upon “feelings.”

Nick Marshall

WOW what the hell was she thinking and why didn’t Mayor Hickenlooper stop her once he heard that she wasn’t singing the right song. I know some one that is not going to get reelected if he condones the act of this racist woman. The black people are always getting on the white people any time they says something wrong and want that person fire or punished severely so why should it be any different here. That’s just a slap in the face of our fore fathers and hers for all they fought for. Yes it was I guess an ok song but not the right place or time, and I do fear if the Democratic Party is elected to office we can expect more changes like this to follow. This is a free country and the history of this great nation is not something you just change on a whim, the song needs to be song as is and in English. I sure hope the mayor did not pay her or as citizen of the city I would be asking for my money back that you paid in taxes for this woman to force on many people without regards of there beliefs. What is really disappointing is that no one stud up for there beliefs at the time of this un patriotic act with the 4th of July just around the corner.

Janice Byrd

African Americans have totally different experiences in this country than whites. Whites never had to march and fight for their right to go to the schools of their choice, live in whatever neighborhood they wanted, sit where they chose in restaurants, and most importantly the God given right to vote! They never had hoses turned on them, or police dogs attack them like in Selma, and Birmingham and several other cities. Besides, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, it did not include us. We had to wait almost another 100 years! The people who are denouncing the singing of Lift Every Voice are the ones who are filled with hatred.

mark cooley

Do you realize how many people have died for this country Ms. Marie? Do you realize that by changing the requested anthem you have shown disrespect to blacks, whites and other ethnic groups who have served their country even to the point of death?

Do you realize that that thousands of ethnic groups fight their way into the United States every day with the hope of living the American Dream.

If you don’t like this country and what it stands fop, why don’t you go somewhere else? I am proud to be an American and am very proud of our National Anthem that reminds us of the blood that has been shed to keep us free. Shame on you, Ms. Marie and shame on the mayor who is only upset because his speech was ignored.

Karen

How American of her! If things are so bad for her in America maybe she should think about relocating to Africa? Sure conditions there are much better!

Cherie

I’m from the land of Lincoln and have never heard the Black National Anthem song there.
To do this because she wanted to is embrassing, she was asked to sing our National Anthem which is an honor.She was wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do we now have to be prepared to cut people off at the mike when they are ask to sing? She needs to get a life.

Nancy

I am surprised that someone didn’t step forward at the beginning of the song and literally “pull the plug” on this woman. How disrespectful that she didn’t feel that she could fulfill her part of the bargain and sing what she was asked to sing. This type of behavior puts a dark shadow on people of color. Had she been honest enough from the beginning of her plan she probably would have been allowed to sing the other song had she requested permission to do so. I equate her disgusting and very disrespectful actions to those of Rosanne Barr who thought it was ‘cute’ to grab her crotch after singing The Star Spangled Banner at that game several years ago. We are Americans – if she doesn’t feel very American then maybe she should take her singing talents to another country and see how she is treated there!

TL Nichol

This person has insulted all Americans. There is no provision for “racially-adapted” versions of the national anthem of our, or any country’s anthem. Also as much as we claim to honor Dr. ML King, his was a message of unity. Now the black community makes a point of spitting on this great mans work by demanding a seperate black version of everything. If you must have your own national anthem, feel free to establish your our nation, but stop insisting upon modifying America to suit your racist vision. If you dislike this idea, perhaps the Congressional Black Caucus could address it!

R Jones

Outrageous! Unacceptable! Unforgivable!

Letsroll

It is black racism. This reminds me of the black band playing at the National Anthem at 2008 BCS Championship’s. There is a hatred of America by a group of people always wanting something. hence 95% of blacks are democrats.

Byron Bergman

Letsroll’s comment should be taken off this board. The vast majority of all Americans do not hate America or feel any sense of entitlement just for being a citizen of this great land. And by all Americans I mean ALL Americans.

Letsroll is creating division among us with those type of inflammatory comments and he is proving he is no better than the singer that he is protesting.

Do not listen to the voices of hate, folks. Let the troll known as “Letsroll” crawl back into his hole.

Theresa

Leave her alone! She has every right to express her own thoughts and feelings mucically and otherwise. The only people put off by her version are those who live in fear…

JWichert

Again this is the kind of CRAP that will always keep whites and blacks at odds!!!

Ludwig

I am surprised that anyone even noticed. The “tradition” of playing or singing the National Anthem for everything from baseball games to kindergarten “graduations” makes it trite and meaningless. The best example of was in the late 1980’s when a minor league baseball club substituted Manfred Mann’s “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” for the National Anthem. It was a popular move-and more people knew the words- until the true patriots made a stink.

B. L. McClure

Well thank you Michele Obama—your comment about not being proud
of America until you were in your 40’s has opened the door for what
was just experienced in Denver by Rene Marie.

Ms. Marie, can thank all the black and white blood that has spilled in the past
and each day to preserve her freedom to make her disrespectful performance. Maybe she is bucking for more exposure at the Democrat
convention in Denver.

Ms. Marie if a Russian had to enlighten you perhaps you can live in Russia.
Your free to travel as well as to disgrace yourself and your country.

Beverly

People should be outraged at Marie’s decision to pull a “switcheroonie”. Talk about racism! She did not help race relations at all but created another huge division between blacks and whites, something that blacks love to do and then blame whites for all their troubles. She should have been escorted off the stage the minute people realized what she was doing. We have one National Anthem – it is not divided between blacks and whites but for ALL Americans. Next time theorganizers should be more discriminating in who they choose to sing our beloved anthem.

Keith

I’m not a resident of Denver. I live in Arizona. Both states are dealing with– not entirely successfully, forms of illegal and immoral behavior known as illegal immigration. Like the “Black National Anthem,” illegal immigration is just one more effect of Left-leaning no rules allowed liberalism. Our nation is being driven into oblivion by the illegal, immoral and disrespect of our nation’s values. I’m relieved so many Denver-ites who have commented here appear to hold the behavior of this disrespectful “artist” in absolute dishonor. I can hardly wait to see how the Liberal-crats conduct themselves during their upcoming Convention. Hopefully, patriotic and nation-loving Americans in Denver will be as vocal in gaining attention as the nim-wit Lefties.